Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-10-06
LICENSE IN MINNESOTA,
A ST. Paul Journal Gives Some Figures
as to the Workings Of the
Statute.
The Saloons Decreased One-Third-
Public Sentiment Fayors the
New Order of Things.

INV - wv VI I AAhSS.
ST.. PAUL, Minn.-The Pioneer Press
says; son July ], the new high license
for Minnesota enacted by tke last legis.
lature went into effect. 1t provides that
the license for selling liquors shall be
$1,000 IN all cities containing popula
tion of 10000 or more, and $500 in all
cities the population OF which is less than
10000. IL imposes the seyerest penalties
for the violation of any of its mandates,
and gives over TO the state authorities
partial jurisdiction in matters pertain
ing TO its enforcement. As the bill was
voted upon by the legislature Indications
were that q large majority OF the people
of Minnesota believed that high license
embodied the best means OF controlling
and satisfactorily regulating the sale OF
intoxicating liquors. In on endeavor to
place before the public the first complete,
reliable and satisfactory summary OF the
immediate and probable effects of the
new law, the Pioneer Press sent 10 each
city and town in the state inquiries as to
the licenses and number of saloons under
the new law and the old laws, the revenue
under each, and the manner in which the
surplus, if any, was applied
rur FEELrNa or TUE PUBLIC
toward IL, and the disposition Of tho sa.
loon keepers with respect 20 it, obser.
vance. The replies embraced almost the
entire state, IN some instances the vii.
lege ard county licenses do not expire
until Jan. /, 1883, when licenses will be
taken out under the new law. But those
cases are in decided minority, and
then even tho effects of the new law may
be so accurately predicted that this re-
view may be considered as practically
complete.
1T is 'ound that in those cities aud
towns in which the new law is now on.
forced there has been q falling Off of one
third in the aggregate number of saloons,
while q similar decrease is with good reR-
son predicted for those places whore the
OLD licenses have not yet expired. Ex-
pressing it in round numbers OF 1850
saloons which thrived and ilourished UNI
der the old license some $50 have been
unable 60 meet the advance and continue
| ia business under the new law. In Mime.
apoIis the saloons have decreased in
number from 334 Co 227; in Duluth, from
ia TO ca; in Saltwater, from AZ TO 32
and in Winona from 93 TO %. st. Paul
is not az yet affected by the new law. In
| that city the old licenses for her 700 sa
looms dc not expire until Jan, !, 1888
the license fee being 800. II Is thought
| that high license will reduce this numbel
at least one-third, probably one-half
| Saloons which have renewed their licenses
under the new law with those which
dropped out last year, paid an average
| license fee Of $30S. With high licens
the average fee per saloon is $GsS, nc
cordingly
A REDUCTION on ONE THIRD
in their number has been obtained b.
the raising of the license fee. The sH
/ looms driven out of existence were, gen
orally speaking small ones, and many %
them hard places. notable exception
| to the latter were a number Of beer ga
looms conducted by germans, and in an
orderly manner, whose proprietors coult
not afford TO meet the advance. Saloon
keepers as rule fear the new law, and ap
pear disposed to live up 20 its mandates
The new places started are OF an expen
4 h1Nb GihHNs hhu nANb AAAOlN Nv HhhNR hAtAA
before. Sunday seling, selling to mi
nors and habitual drunkards and lat
closing are reported as greatly lesssned
In the olties, saloons at Il distance from
the business center have been cut OF
and the result IF this Capitalization ha
been TO place those still running unde
closer police surveillance. Blind pigs
are becoming a rarity, liquor dealers be
ing equally as jealous az the authorities
in hunting them down. Many of tn
cities and towns report public order n
improved. In others there appears TO b.
no pereeptable difference. Some are Of
the opinion that drinking has decreased
while very many assert that drunken
ness has greatly diminished. General.
speaking, business il the pslice courts
especially those of the smaller cities ant
towns. does not appear to be nearly s
brisk as before. In the larger cities
however, the Capitalization of the saloon
has had a tendency to bring those Wit
drink TO excess TO sections where the.
more readily fall into tho
CLUTCH OF THE LAW.
With a reduction of one.third in IN
number of saloons has followed an in
crease Of one-third in the ar cunt Of pub
lie revenue deiyed therefrom. THIS sur
plus is used or variety OF purpose
but the general term of municipal i'm
provements covers the main channels il
which it is expended. Streets are being
graded, public buildings being erected
interest on city bonds paid, fire appsrntu
purchased, and taxes lessened. Public
sentiment is reported as overwhelmingl
in favor Of the Rew law and high license
People generally are Of the opinion tina
experience is proving that high licens
embodies the best means Of properly con
trolling and regulating the sale of into1i
eating liquors. Opposition, when me
with, as a rule comes from one of tw'
classes, the saloon element Itself, whici
would naturally oppose the law, and por
hibitionists, who believe that high licens
is hindrance 10 the time Of no license.
sTAupFDE OF BTFFAI0Fg